Thursday, June 24, 2010

Gutter bookshelves have been on my household wish list for quite a while now. I finally got my husband to help me make some a week or so ago. We decided to put some up in our bonus room, and also next to our older kids' beds. They turned out really cute, and now I can't wait to put up more of them! They're easy and economical; I think we paid less than $10 for a 10 ft. pice of gutter that we cut to make four individual shelves out of (two 3 ft. shelves, and two 2 ft. shelves).

These shelves kind of turned this little area into a reading nook. I love that! Now I have ideas for enhancing this nook's coziness. :)

Acting out the story was a little above My Little Reader's head, so instead we just chased each other around, taking turns as the pig and the wolf. I recited some of the rhymes from the story as we chased and encouraged him to say some as well.

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."

It was a hit with My Little Reader. Already thinking up which story we'll play with next week.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

My son will be turning two soon. With two new Watsons on the way, a week where I don't HAVE to be anywhere, and the prospect of no more diaper washing (we do cloth), I decided to go ahead and spend the week doing intensive potty training. It seems to be taking (knock on wood).

BUT being cooped up in the house all week with a toddler that I have to watch like a hawk (so he doesn't forget to go to the potty when he feels the urge) means I have let him watch A LOT of PBS Kids. It's been my only sanity saver. There's only so much playdough and puzzles Isaac can handle... or Mommy can handle for that reason. We've been reading books, but he hasn't been willing to sit for very long and listen this week. Plus, we've had some really close calls with some of our books nearly getting drenched when nature called. Yikes!

I'm already planning our outings for next week now that we're getting a handle on this potty thing. We'll be breaking free from the house, and from the TV!

A PBS gem I discovered this week though: The Electric Company. Had never watched it. Love it! It's not Isaac's favorite (kind of targeted at a little bit older kids), but he's warming up to it.

What parents are saying about Literacy Launchpad...

"Literacy Launchpad has been an excellent experience for Michael. His love of books has grown by leaps and bounds. Ms. Amy has a wonderful way of getting the children to really become part of the book they are reading. She uses crafts to reinforce the story and the kids love the interaction between hearing about something and then making it with their own hands." - Laura J.

"... Zane usually would recap what was read the week before in class. It is amazing what recall and enthusiasm he has when talking about the stories he has read. This program has been/will continue to be a great growing experience for Zane. Thank you for all you do Ms. Amy! You are a blessing and enrichment for my child as well as others!" - Lisa H.

"... As a parent, I feel Emily has a wonderful foundation for learning and reading as she starts kindergarten this fall. I believe that Literacy Launchpad played a significant role in building that foundation. Thank you, Amy!" - Julie A.

"... I am thankful for the time you spend in preparing each lesson – it shows!Thank you for providing such an enriching program." - Heather C.

“... not only did the program help her read better but it also helped her enjoy reading! She had always liked books – looking at the pictures and reading some of the words but in Literacy Launchpad, she learned to LOVE books. My daughter gained a true appreciation of stories and of the written word. My daughter is in second grade now and is excelling in all areas. She is in a reading group and in all the accelerated classes. We own hundreds of books and visit the library weekly. In fact, she has taught ME to enjoy books!”

“This is such a big, fun way to combine story time with an engaging project.” - Michelle A.

“... It is a wonderful program that introduces the children to literacy concepts and works on their comprehension skills at a level they easily understand.” - Marti J.